Olive Picking Hat

Olive harvest time. 

My DH requested another hat. Driving the "monster" which shakes the Olive trees can be cold work at times. 

The olives are changing from green to black. Beautiful.

I decided to add the very simple knitting "pattern" on here so I remember it.
My Mil asked me to show her it so she can make one for my Bil. (Mil has started knitting again.)

Olive Picking Hat.

I used Fingering weight yarn used double. Size 4mm (US 6) needles.

Cast on 96sts. 

Knit K2, p2 rib for 70 rows. 

Start decreases:
1: K2, p2 tog; repeat to end of row. (72sts) 
2: K1, p2; repeat to end of row. 
3: K2tog, p1; repeat to end of row. (48sts) 
4: K1, p1,across.
5: K2tog across. 24sts 
6: P2tog across. 12sts. 
Thread yarn through remaining sts, (I do that twice), sew seam.

Very quick and easy, made in an afternoon.

 Wood is being stashed for winter fires. 

My Black Cat as usual is busy controlling everything is being done correctly!

All is well down in the Olive Groves!

Savoury Cold Rice Salad

Well it is hot hot hot now. Summer has really arrived quickly this year. DD asked me to make a rice salad as she says it is just too hot to eat. 

So, a lifetime ago when I was studying in Rome I worked as an au-pair for a year. This is a recipe I learnt then. I have no idea how traditional it is, the bought stuff is totally different, but this I learnt and this my kids (and DH) love! My inlaws now also make this. In the years before there were fridges it would not have been possible.

So ingredients:
500g rice. Salt to taste.

Canned Tuna.
Canned beef.
Wurstel sausage.
Boiled eggs.
Maionese.
Sweet corn.
Grated parmesan cheese.
Tomatoes.
Mozzarella.
Butter or oil.

I throw everything I can in the fridge before starting to reduce cooling time.

Cook the rice in salted water till "al dente" (just cooked). Cool.
Cook the wurstel sausages ( I slice and cook in a little butter. Cool.
Cook the sweet corn. Cool.

Add mayo.
Add boiled eggs cut up.
Add all other ingredients. 
I add the mozzarella last and if leaving for later just add to what I know we will use within two days. 
Stir it all together well and cool. At least a couple of hours.

Keeps well in fridge. I add tomatoes and mozzarella after if I want to keep it more days. You can add cucumbers, lettuce, ham, pickles,  olives etc etc as you like.

Quick and easy. Great to eat when it is really hot!.

Nearly 40°C here today. This is something they will eat without moaning that it is "too hot" !

Let me know what you think of this!

Springing into Summer...

It is that time of the year. We just don't what season it is supposed to be any more. However the plants are doing what they think they should and nature is going on, doing its own thing. 

Flowers all around before the summer heat dries everything out. I just wanted to share a few photos:

The magic of the olive flowers trapped in a spider web. They look so like stars! 

A special thought goes to my Bil Antonio as these are Gigli di Sant'Antonio which he and his wife planted in front of their beautiful house.

Greetings and enjoy Spring!

Seems like Spring

Mild weather and sunny days. Feels like Spring although weather should be cold again next week it seems!.

 First Wild asparagus.

Asparagus plant. 

 What is called "lingua di cane" in dialect: dog's tongue! It does look a bit like one.

 Mimosa.

 Plum blossoms.

"Pirainu" wild pears. 

 My celery cut off is growing.

 Cat going for a walk with DH!

Exploring where the hens are.

 Hens!

 A man with his Dog!

Walking through the olives.

See you soon!

Blue Tits and Mulan!

The weather has recently been cold with rain, hail and snow. Most unusual for us.

I started feeding the birds from my window. Although it is hard to take a photo I managed to snap this one. 

There are several who come. Most are blue tits but others arrive as well. 


My doll collection is still growing. I found Mulan on Ebay. Description said she was dirty and ok for "spare parts!" Well I just couldn't allow that! I put in an offer for half of the small amount they were asking and it was accepted within minutes. I wondered just how dirty and poor condition she was!

She arrived yesterday. Actually the only thing wrong was her matted hair!

A wash and combing session soon fixed that. Boo lent her a clean dress until I have time to make her something especially for her! 

Here she is:

Isn't she beautiful now? I think she is really happy to have arrived here!

2016-2017

This year is drawing to an end: it has not been a good year from my point of view. So many negative things have happened in 2016. However there have been some positive ones as well. 

The wheel is turning and a New year has already begun if you follow the solar year; will still soon be beginning if you use our "normal" calendar! ( My apologies to all who follow other ones as I can't remember the dates without looking them up!)


Now is the time when I start thinking of what changes to make in the New Year. 
I know we can start anew at any time but a new year beginning seems a good opportunity to start new projects and try to implement changes. 

Most of the things I am thinking of doing are connected to the house and to my ongoing decluttering. With a few steps ahead and a couple back things are slowly getting as I want them. Not easy though. 

Finances are another thing to control. Sometimes I just don't know where to reduce costs but it is always possible. 

Going more and more "Green" is easy. "Mother Earth" deserves our best and I have always had a tendancy to respect nature: the way I was brought up!
If we don't take care of our world today there will be no tomorrow for our decendants. 

We are lucky to live in a place which is still relatively unspoiled and hope to help keep it that way.

I will be sharing new projects and ideas with you in this coming year.

What are you planning for 2017? New Year Resolutions anyone?

Village Holiday

Happy Holidays to all, whatever you celebrate. 

Here in the village there was the traditional Christmas fire burning all night between the 24th and 25th. There will be another one at New Year as well. 
A mixture of old pagan rites brought into the Christian celebrations.
DH helped bring the wood etc with other village folk. 

There was also a nativity scene set up in the piazza and a "Living Presepe" with villagers acting out the nativity story after a procession. 

The traditional big meal based on fish. (Lots of cooking!) On the 25th another big meal with meat this time. Some people even do it today the 26th! Personally I never have. Just too much food and drink.

 New year will soon be here as well and then Epiphany with the "Befana" who brings gifts:...and yes, there is yet more food! 

My idea of a holiday is just to rest and knit instead! Lazy! 

Did you have a nice holiday? How did you celebrate?